Saturday, September 12, 2026

The Saturday Morning Post: Linking Creativity


Everytime we are creative, we build a base, to link to the next creative project. Everything that works, I learn from. Even when I am unhappy with the work, I learn something, a color or technique that didn't work the way I had hoped, I learn from. On the August trip to Chicago I took a smaller camera, it was easier to pack and carry, but it didn't capture good images in overcast, rainy weather, not the right tool for that day. But I learned, it is fine in bright sunshine, not so great on a dull day. The right tool, at the right time, adds a link to my chain of knowledge. 

Everytime we spend time exploring other's creative work, we add another link to the creative chain.  I am often inspired by something I eat in a restaurant, to try something new in my kitchen. I love shopping in unusual markets, I see things, smell things, that inspire my creativity in the kitchen.  Seeing art in a gallery or museum, or on the street, gives me ideas of things I could do. Adding new links to my chain of creativity. 

Sometimes I will paint a series of paintings in a similar style or format. Repeating the same theme multiple times. Each time I learn what works, what does not, adding links to my chain of creativity. 

Through all of this, I have learned that I need to keep working, to keep trying, to add new links of knowledge with every step. 

12 comments:

  1. Right or wrong, good or bad, it's all learning.
    I've often called it failing up, because even in failure you learn what to do and what not to do.

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    1. Striving for a spectacular failure.

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  2. Lifelong learning is a building and connecting process.

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  3. I get inspired by almost everything I see around me. I love learning and can't imagine not trying to learn something new.

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    1. I sometimes struggle with converting inspiration to creation.

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  4. That's a good philosophy for life.

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  5. Focus should be on process, not product.

    Will Jay

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  6. I like the chain analogy even though, in another sense, none of us want to be chained.

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    1. But aren't we all chained to our existence.

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